EDITOR’S NOTE: We have updated this article to reflect the fact that the king had appointed the new Cabinet Ministers before Prime Minister ‘Aisake Eke announced them yesterday.
Tonga’s Prime Minister ‘Aisake Valu Eke has announced his Cabinet Lineup.
He said the formal ceremony for the Cabinet Ministers will be held on Thursday.
The Prime Minister said the announcement means that the new Cabinet Ministers have officially assumed their duties starting today, taking over the responsibilities of the former ministers serving in an interim capacity.
The lineup included four unelected MPs: Dr ‘Ana ‘Akau’ola, Dr Siosiua Halavātau, Crown Prince Tupouto’a and Sinaitakala Tu’itahi.
The Prime Minister can nominate no more than four ministers outside of the Parliament, according to the constitution.
The portfolios are as follows:
Dr ‘Aisake Valu Eke
Prime Minister
Minister for Finance
Minister for Fisheries
Minister for Prisons
Dr Taniela Fusimālohi
Deputy Prime Minister
Minister for Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Communications and Climate Change (MEIDECC); and
Minister for Infrastructure.
Prince Tupouto’a
Minister for His Majesty’s Armed Forces and Foreign Affairs.
Dr ‘Uhilamoelangi Fasi
Minister for Education.
Minister for Lands, Survey and Natural Resources
Paula Piveni Piukala
Minister for Public Enterprises.
Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services
Mo’ale Finau
Minister for Tourism.
Minister for Justice
Kāpeli Lanumata
Minister for Trade and Economic Development.
Mateni Tapueluelu
Minister for Revenue and Customs.
Dr Ana ‘Akau’ola
Minister for Health
Dr Siosiua Halavātau
Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forest
Sinaitakala Tu’itahi
Minister for Internal Affairs
